Mentor synthesis tools also supports Xilinx Virtex-4

SAN JOSE, Calif.  Following the lead of FPGA synthesis archrival Synplicity Inc., Mentor Graphics Corp. said its Precision RTL or Leonardo Spectrum synthesis tools also support the new Virtex-4 family.

Meanwhile, the company is currently beta testing Virtex-4 support for its Precision Physical tool, with plans to release it commercially in early 2005.

According to Mentor, both companies started joint work in April 2003. Initial Precision RTL Synthesis support has been available in a limited release since January.

Synplicity also announced on Tuesday (Sept. 14) the latest version of its FPGA logic synthesis and physical synthesis software products. It is designed to support the new Virtex-4 family and Lattice Semiconductor's LatticeECP and LatticeEC FPGA device families.